The camera then focuses on the weeping child as his father and a female friend try to comfort him.

Despite some commentators speculating that the video – which has been viewed more than 14 million times on Youtube and 24 million times on Facebook - may be staged, Brenden, a former drug addict himself, insists he posted the confronting video as a warning to other parents dealing with addiction.

‘This is for any and every addict with children,’ Brenden wrote on Facebook.

‘Today I had to tell my 8 year old son that his mommy died from a drug overdose last night.

'This is the realization and reality of our disease. Don't let this disease have to make someone tell your child that you're dead because of drugs.

'This was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. My son has no mother because of heroin...kinda hard to hear but u can hear what we're saying. Please get help so our children don't have to suffer’.

Warning: This video, linked below from Brenden's public Facebook page, is distressing, and viewer discretion is strongly advised.